GA community colleges, and universities causing me confusion

[MomLovesClassics]

I am trying to think ahead, my son is going into the seventh grade. I was checking out the local community college online, and they want the student to have taken the SAT before enrolling into classes. Oh and they require higher SAT scores from homeschoolers than students from public schools. I was considering possibly sending him for a class in 10 grade. It appears the university has changed their requirements and only want the cream of the crop those with the highest SAT scores, and GPA. I was looking at what they require on a transcript from home educated students. It confuses me. It appears to be worded in such a way that your SAT scores must be perfect or they do not want you. Can someone please tell me what this actually means. It looks to me like they make it more difficult for homeschoolers. We made a decision recently to continue homeschooling for all 12 years. At the same time we don't want our kids to suffer when trying to get into college.

 

 

• If a student pursues a home study program that is accredited by a regional authority (SACS, MSACS, NCACS, NEACS, NACS or WACS), a state’s Department of Education or certain Georgia authorities (Georgia Accrediting Commission, Georgia Private School Accrediting Commission or the Accrediting Commission for Independent Study), an official transcript should be submitted for review.
  
• If a student cannot verify completion of the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with an official transcript, he or she must demonstrate very high academic ability by having earned an SAT I or ACT score equal to or above the average scores of the first-year students admitted to UGA for the prior Fall term. The student must also be able to validate completion of all CPC subject areas through submission of the following:
  

 

 

• Official scores from the SAT I or ACT (for math and English only—see below), SAT II, International Baccalaureate (IB) and/or Advanced Placement (AP) exams;
  
• Coursework for credit that appears on an official college or an accredited high school transcript; and/or,
  
• An SAT I or ACT score in the top five percent of college-bound seniors nationally to satisfy the English and mathematics portions of the CPC (in 2008, the requisite SAT was 1370 and ACT was 31).
  

Upon completion of an application file with the required documentation, the University of Georgia will review the entire application file of a student who has been home educated or who has attended a non-accredited high school. From the pool of academically qualified students, UGA will select the students who are most competitive for first-year admission.

 

 

 

[PentecostalMom]

I read all of that as well. There are also issues with the HOPE and homeschoolers. This what I did, and if you can swing it, it is my suggestion. We found a local private Christian school that offers transcript services, somewhat of an "umbrella" school. The school gave us a list of their requirements for graduation, and I simply took all of the classes that ds had taken, created a transcript with course names and credits awarded and submitted it to them, then also submitted the required attendance forms. My ds was given an accredited transcript, the school was a parts of SACS and then there are no more concerns. You still have to have the ACT or SAT, but the transcript and dealing with all of the different issues that are set out specifically for hsers just disappear!

 

Don't know where you are in GA, if you want to pm me, I will tell you the school we used and where it is. BTW, we didn't enroll until his senior year and it was $150, got a complete high school transcript.

[plansrme]

You know, I read your excerpt above and thought it couldn't possibly be true. But of course it is. How ridiculous! No wonder no one homeschools for high school around here. To have to have an AP exam, SAT subject test or a 95% percentile on the SAT or ACT for every core class? Not to mention having to be above-average SAT I or ACT scores. Geez, that's ridiculous.

 

Terri

[MomLovesClassics]

This is from Gainsville State Collage. Notice that if you come from a non accredited High School, your SAT scores must be higher. It appears they puwant to make it tougher and harder for homeschoolers to get in. They want at least 970 from public school, but 1060 for others.

 

 

Accel Program

 

 

 

Definition: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in accredited Georgia public or private high schools who wish to enter college and earn college credit while they complete their junior and/or senior year of high school.

The Accel Program is designed for high school juniors and seniors enrolled in accredited Georgia public or private high schools who wish to enter college and earn college credit while they complete their junior and/or senior year of high school. Under Accel regulations, students may simultaneously receive high school Carnegie unit credits and college credit hours. Beginning Winter/Spring term 2005, Accel funding will apply only to the five CPC areas (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Language). Accel applicants must have prior approval of their parents or guardian, high school counselor or principal, and must be enrolled in an accredited high school. Interested students should contact their high school counselor. All Accel applicants should be on track for the College Preparatory Curriculum diploma seal. Their high school grade point average (as calculated by the College on academic subjects only) must be at least 3.0. Accel applicants are also required to submit official college entrance examination scores. Minimum scores for Accel admission are:

 

• 480 Verbal and 460 Math on the SAT-I or 21 English and 19 Mathematics on the ACT and
  
• At least 970 combined SAT-I, or ACT composite score of at least 21
  

The College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirements for admission to a University System institution may be satisfied in English and/or Social Sciences during joint enrollment. Students with SAT-I verbal of at least 530 or ACT English score of at least 24 who have not completed the final unit of high school English and/or Social Sciences may be permitted to fulfill their high school requirements with the appropriate college courses taken through the Accel Program.

Students who wish to complete the fourth mathematics may do so at the college level if they have at least a 530 math SAT-I or ACT mathematics score of at least 22. The CPC requirements in natural science and foreign language must be completed at the high school.

Documentation required for Accel status includes:

 

 

1. Completed application for admission as an Accel student with the appropriate application fee. Accel students are encouraged to apply online.
   
2. High school transcript with an academic grade point average of at least 3.0
   
3. SAT or ACT scores as specified above (Test scores must come directly from the issuing agency or on an official high school transcript. Photocopies of score reports will not be accepted.)
   
4. Letter of permission from parent or guardian
   
5. Completed Certificate of Immunization
   

In addition to applying to Gainesville State College, students who are participating in the Accel program must also complete the Accel application through the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Information on the program and its requirements and limitations can be found at www.gsfc.org.

Accredited Home School Admission for Joint Enrollment

Home schooled students who participate in an accredited home school program, as recognized by the USG, will meet the same admission criteria as all other students applying for Joint Enrollment.

Non-Accredited Home School and Non-Accredited Private School Admission for Joint Enrollment

Home schooled students who participate in a non-accredited home school program or non-accredited private school, are required to meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for admission:

 

• Minimum SAT I score of 530 Critical Reading and 530 Mathematics sections, or ACT 23 English and 22 Math (Test scores must come directly from the issuing agency. Photocopies of score reports will not be accepted.)
  
• Minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher on courses taken from the required 16 CPC units
  
• Exemption of all LS requirements for early admission
  
• Letter of permission from parent or guardian
  
• On track towards the completion of the University System of Georgia 16-unit CPC requirements and high school graduation
  
• Home schooled students are not eligible for ACCEL funds
  

 

[MomLovesClassics]

We were considering public high school at one time. They are too strict about the age grade level thing. Too we decided we wanted to stick with homeschooling all the way. We are trying to prepare ourselves. I just do not want a hassle when it is time for my kids to get into college. I had a hassle with my oldest and he went to public school. I was told GA colleges are unfriendly toward homeschoolers.

[Bev in B'ville]

My dd is a junior in high school and I, too, was in the same position as you a couple of years ago, trying to figure out a way to make applying to our local CC easier and having access to ACCEL and HOPE. I found the requirements for homeschooled students ridiculous as compared to regular students.

 

Our local CC had the same stipulations as you quoted above. I started calling around to umbrella schools, but was not happy with any of them. I felt like they were taking away my freedom as a homeschooler in some aspects of academics. To make a long story short, I ended up at the GACS website (Georgia Accrediting Commission). If you go to the non-traditional schools tab, you will find out exactly what you need to do to become accredited as a school. There are 26 items, most of which I was doing already (I didn't have an "emergency" plan for dealing with terrorists or other school disruptions and such, but that was easy enough to duplicate off the web). I went through the inspection process and am now "Fully Accredited." My homeschool has the same accreditation as my local high school.

 

My dd just finished her first year at the local CC, paid for by ACCEL. I only submitted my homemade transcript with her grades, ACT scores, AP scores, and SAT-II scores. For access to ACCEL and HOPE funds, you will need to apply to the Georgia Student Finance Commission, but it's a relatively painless process.

 

HTH.

[MomLovesClassics]

My dd is a junior in high school and I' date=' too, was in the same position as you a couple of years ago, trying to figure out a way to make applying to our local CC easier and having access to ACCEL and HOPE. I found the requirements for homeschooled students ridiculous as compared to regular students.

 

Our local CC had the same stipulations as you quoted above. I started calling around to umbrella schools, but was not happy with any of them. I felt like they were taking away my freedom as a homeschooler in some aspects of academics. To make a long story short, I ended up at the GACS website (Georgia Accrediting Commission). If you go to the non-traditional schools tab, you will find out exactly what you need to do to become accredited as a school. There are 26 items, most of which I was doing already (I didn't have an "emergency" plan for dealing with terrorists or other school disruptions and such, but that was easy enough to duplicate off the web). I went through the inspection process and am now "Fully Accredited." My homeschool has the same accreditation as my local high school.

 

My dd just finished her first year at the local CC, paid for by ACCEL. I only submitted my homemade transcript with her grades, ACT scores, AP scores, and SAT-II scores. For access to ACCEL and HOPE funds, you will need to apply to the Georgia Student Finance Commission, but it's a relatively painless process.

 

HTH.

 

 

 

Can you give a little more inormation about the requirements. What are the fees involved? Do we have to have a masters degree or a degree in education? If we only have 2 students is that a problem? It mentions to get a consultant. My husband has a degree from the university, but I don't. Would we call me the director and him the teacher? Do we make sure all our books are located in one room? How does the budget thing work? Who has to look at our school budget? We do not have a set of encyclopedias, but the library does. How does the visit to your home go? We have animals, plus we school all over the house. I think this is a good idea, I just never knew this option was available. It would make things a lot less stressful.

[Bev in B'ville]

The website will help you with the requirements; there are 26 items you need to do and/or document. My consultant lives in my area (highly advisable as your fees will be lower). I pay a fee of $50 once a year for continued accreditation and my consultant's fee is $200, which I now pay once every three years. If you're consultant has to travel to you, then you have to pay travel fees, too. All consultants are different, but my experience was that he would come to our home and review all 26 items with me (he put a checkmark next to the item on the list once reviewed). I would provide documentation where necessary. I was already keeping tabs on what I spend on homeschooling in an MS Excel program. I went to my local bank and had them review it and provide a letter saying everything looking hunky dory to them (except with more professional language; the service was free) :001_smile: I showed him where the children (I only have two) work (all over the house), textbooks we use (I don't have a set of encyclopedias either, just the web). Mainly, he sat behind my desk and I handed him the things he needed/wanted to see (I had everything handy so I wouldn't have to search). For the inspection, I would definitely have everything he needs to see in one room. He did not ask to see or speak to my children at all (though they were around doing school work).

 

The website will explain about degrees, who has to have one, etc. Both my husband and I have advanced degrees, so that really didn't apply to us. In our case, I made my husband the "Headmaster" and myself the "Assistant Headmistress."

 

It sounds complicated, but really it was quite easy to do. I think I was the first on this board to get accredited, so it was a trial by fire for me (and still is somewhat - just call me a trailblazer :lol:). However, I have since advised several people in GA who participate here and they've received their accreditation, too. Perhaps they will join in the discussion, too. I have not regretted once getting my accreditation. It has greatly simplified the college admission process.

 

I don't think animals matter much. We own and live on a ranch, so we definitely have animals. :001_smile:

 

I think I answered most of your questions; if not, please feel free to pm me. A lot of your questions can be answered by reviewing the requirements for non-traditional schools. A list of consultants can be obtained under the consultants tab.

[MomLovesClassics]

This sounds fairly simple. I think we will try to do this. I was thinking to work on the list during the summer, and try during the fall. Would a letter from our accountant suffice? I have really not budgeted accordingly for our books. I buy here and there. I am working on that though. I do have a seperate checking acount that I will now use for this purpose. We will get the fire safe storage too. I believe the list is doable. I am so glad you mentioned this is an option.

[Bev in B'ville]

This sounds fairly simple. I think we will try to do this. I was thinking to work on the list during the summer, and try during the fall. Would a letter from our accountant suffice? I have really not budgeted accordingly for our books. I buy here and there. I am working on that though. I do have a seperate checking acount that I will now use for this purpose. We will get the fire safe storage too. I believe the list is doable. I am so glad you mentioned this is an option.

 

 

I'm sure a letter from your accountant will suffice. I did not have a budget per se, more of a list of expenditures, backed up by receipts. The bank officer simply compared my list of expenditures (which I organized by subject) with the receipts I provided (also organized by subject to make her job easier). I also have a caveat at the bottom that reads something like "this list of expenditures does not include costs of field trips,...and may be modified at any time during the school year."

[MomLovesClassics]

Are monthly attendance forms still sent in just like regular homeschooling?Or is attendance documented differently?

For the mentor, how is this documented?

[Bev in B'ville]

Are monthly attendance forms still sent in just like regular homeschooling?Or is attendance documented differently?

For the mentor, how is this documented?

 

 

I still have to submit monthly attendance forms to the county. I fax mine in and keep the original in a file to be inspected if requested. No other action is required.